Ionic Firmware Release - 32.10.15

[MattFitbit]

Fitbit Update: Fitbit OS2.1 has been released to 100% of users!

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Hi all! 

I am excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 2.1! (Firmware Version: 27.32.10.15)

We've started to roll out this update to 10% of Ionic users. This is a progressive rollout, and all Ionic users can expect to have it within a few weeks. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

WHAT’S NEW

Introducing quick replies. Send customized responses to text messages and messages from select messaging apps with your Fitbit watch. Note that this feature is currently only available on watches paired to an Android phone. For more information, see How do I respond to messages with my Fitbit watch?

This release includes other bug fixes and improvements.

Step by step instructions for updating your Ionic can be found here.

I recommend updating your Ionic over a home Wi-Fi network as this can greatly reduce the time it can take to get set up. For more information on connecting your Ionic to Wi-Fi, check out this article. 

If you run into any trouble updating your Ionic, I can also recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback on the latest release. If you have any questions, feel free to let me know! 

[MissUrka]

THANK YOU 

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

So @MattFitbit when you say the update is through the back end system that means there's no big bug fixes for the hardware/software? And it's server side?

If our release notes state "This release includes other bug fixes and improvements" it generally means that all fixes were backend fixes that have no customer-facing impact. If there will be customer-facing impact we will make sure to outline it in the release notes. Hope this helps clarify.

So you mean to say the people who still have calibration error issues GPS error inconsistencies, hearts rate inaccuracies are still unsolved and still going to persist? Then what's the people to do with a watch that's fully advertising a health tracker an accurate heart rate promotion that doesn't even do what it's supposed to do correctly?

I get that issue arise, and could be acceptable for a first year product.. But dude this is 2018. I haven't got a calibration error for my watch but the poor people who dropped 400 bucks for a watch that doesn't count steps, doesn't record heart rate, misses GPS measurements by 200-300 m even more.. Is pretty stupid and ridiculous for the price you are selling this thing as..

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[MissUrka]

Have to restart Bluetooth/watch/reinstall app because ionic fails to stay connected to Bluetooth. This has been an issue since at least January. Says turn off all other Bluetooth enabled devices (because they might interfere with sync)?? Fitbit: do you know how many products are Bluetooth enabled nowadays? I could spend half my life turning off all of my Bluetooth enabled products just to make it easier for you to not have to fix connectivity issues. NEVER MIND CALIBRATION ISSUE THAT NEVER RESOLVES 

[MissUrka]

I sincerely hope this is not the case but I am beginning to wonder if it is true. I have been commenting since March on the calibration issue and nothing. Can’t find my comments except one. 

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@mrmarbury wrote:

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

How do we get more detail than "other bug fixes and improvements"?

This update is larger in size than the 2.0 update and the firmware revision when from

27.31.01.16 for FitbitOS 1.1

27.31.01.29 for FitbitOS 1.2

27.32.04.19 for FitbitOS 2.0

27.32.10.15 for FitbitOS 2.1

From FitbitOS 1.1 to 1.2 we has a 0.0.0.13 increase and this added improved GPS, and a number of other listed bug fixes for time zone switching (still not working very well), exercise issues, etc.  Yet from 2.0 to 2.1 all we are told is "other bug fixes and improvements" and the android quick replies.  for a 0.0.6.x increase.  Why can't we know what is actually fixed?  Or is this firmware number change just to sync them with the Versa?  Most other smart watches release monthly updates until the bugs are mostly taken care of with the exception of right before a new major release, Fitbit has never been close to that release schedule and there are definitely bugs to fix and improvements to be made.

It makes no sense to have more then three version numbers at all anyway which would be major_version.minor_version.bugfix 

And since they use two wildly different schemes here anyway (which just confuses people -> 2.1 == 27.32.10.15) I don't think these internal version numbers (27.x.x.x) are anything you can relate to in any way. You cannot even derive a real mapping between those internal version numbers and the externel version numbers (2.1).

We can only hope they get it right and it is not a chaos. I doubt that a bit for many reasons. One is the music controls. Why does every $20 BT-Headset manage flawless music controls on EVERY Android device with changing contexts (I can control the music in the last app that I have used) and Fitbit argues with something like "your device must be supported?" It is not about the device. They all run Android or iOS (On iOS the story is a bit different because of Apple policies though). So imho it is really really really bad software design. Why do we need two bluetooth connections for music controls anyways? 

Regarding the missing changelog you must know that Fitbit is just another legacy company where the devs might want to create a good product but management hinders them in every way and that destroys basically everything. I have worked for such companies and this never ends well. The outcome is always subpar products and unhappy customers and devs blamed for things they cannot change.

They have bought the Pebble IP and some devs but I cannot see anything that reminds me of Pebble in even a remote way software wise. The problems FitbitOS has are solved on a Pebble with less sophisticated and much smaller software. I might give this one more software update but then I will sell my Ionic. 

And now please Fitbit delete my comment again, like you always do, because it is irrelevant or whatnot .... Customer opinions that express dissatisfaction should always be ignored because that solves anything. But in case you have not heard yet: One unsatisfied customer drives away up to ten potential customers. But that was before the internet. Now with the internet it might be more that are driven away from that product....and you have alot of unhappy customers, just saying.

Wrote this while wearing my Pebble again since it "Just Works"(TM)

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[MissUrka]

You too?? I’m over it. We’ve been through four Ionics and only one works correctly. 

[MissUrka]

What are you saying? Every time I try to calibrate (when prompted on my watch) I receive a message that calibration has failed, connect to charger, make sure sensors are clear, blah blah blah.  Same old stuff. I’ve uninstalled, reinstalled, followed every piece of advice Fitbit has on the forum and nothing works. And they are not addressing the issue which makes it even worse. 

[mrmarbury]

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@MissUrka wrote:

I sincerely hope this is not the case but I am beginning to wonder if it is true. I have been commenting since March on the calibration issue and nothing. Can’t find my comments except one.  

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I don't hope this too. I mean I don't know anything about the internal workings of Fitbit. I don't know anything about the software platform on the watch. But a lot feels like a workaround because they don't know how to implement defacto standard protocols or as if the feature was rushed and is not finished yet. And after 21 years in the wearable game they are not noobs anymore and should have their things sorted out for the most part. Granted, a fully fledged smartwatch is a different game then just step counters or pure fitness trackers. But please Fitbit get your things straight and at least be more chatty when it comes to releases and the changes done. Nobody will hate you for telling them that feature A is not on the roadmap until the next release or Bug B is known but other things have a higher priority. But at least people know what to expect!

[harnold87]

HI Matt,

Thanks for posting this. Is there any way to get fast tracked for this update? I understand why you're going with the slow rollout, but I'm losing 3-4 workouts a week with my Ionic at the moment which is incredibly frustrating and the only reason I went with the Ionic over other fitbit products.

A quicker fix would make me a very happy camper. I love my watch and just need it to work for my workouts!

Thanks,

Heather

[MrDek]

Hello - I am not able to apply the firmware update. It gets stuck about 50% complete. Same thing happened with the 2.0 update. Very frustrating not being able to install the 2.1 update.

Where is a official support email or phone number?

Thanks.

[Frodo007]

Did the upgrade and now my Ionic is ‘dead’. I only see a black screen that doesn’t respond on anything anymore... Before, I had to do a factory reset because the Wwatch was in a starting loop all of a sudden. And if it did start some hours later, the screen was not responsive anymore. I didn’t know why and nothing helped. Now I begin to think that it was because it was already (trying to) upgrade. 

So I started a factory reset (it costed 2 hours before I was able to do that, because of the screen that did’t respond) today. And it looked like I succeeded in it. I looked at the screen of the watch, it said that I could see some advices to work with the watch. I touched the screen to see the advice, it didn’t respond and then it was all over: a black screen... And now that’s all I see: a black screen, the watch looks ‘dead’.

I’m really, really disappointed! 😞😞

[unixphreak]

Will this new quick reply functionality come to Windows 10 Mobile or iOS?

[Gnorko]

Fix the connection issues and sync issues you have before all these fance pancy features.

I am really disapointed that this model is so poor as a workout watch, I bought for fitness, and then smartwatch as second.

I cannot recommend this ionic model for anyone.

[thunderwagn]

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@Gnorko wrote:

Fix the connection issues and sync issues you have before all these fance pancy features.

I am really disapointed that this model is so poor as a workout watch, I bought for fitness, and then smartwatch as second.

I cannot recommend this ionic model for anyone.

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I couldn't agree more. The fitness aspects of the Ionic are greatly disappointing. Fix the syn issues. Fix the heart rate issues. Fix the stair count issues and even the daily step issues. This update is an absolute joke. Charge 2 while not as pretty was and is far superior to the Ionic in my opinion. As always, Fitbit ignores. I'm considering sending mine back and knocking the dust off my Charge 2.

This device is a joke for $300. 

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for the information.  Does the update include fixes to the following problems I have encountered?

1. When recording a run the heart graphic does not appear to indicate the heart zone as advertised.

2. I repeatedly have to switch the music controls to watch and then back to phone for the controls to show up.

3. Pressing play/stop on the music controls works only 50% of the time.

Not massive problems but they are a little annoying and it would be great to get them  fixed.

[Frodo007]

Update: I succeeded in installing the new (or is it still the old) version after about 6 hours of trying and failing. 

And now I am back to the problem it all started with, yesterday: my Fitbit freezes the whole time when I swipe or push a button. Then it’s going ‘out’ and if I start the Fitbit again, the same problem is there again: it freezes after max 1 swipe or push on a button. It’s totally worthless this way! 

I’m also regretting I once bought this watch for +/- 300 Euros... That’s very expensive for me and for many others, I suppose...😔😔

[Frodo007]

Can I return the watch and get my money back? I have it since the end of January. The first one I bought had a bug. I got a new one after many hours of trying and trying. Now I have serious problems again with it. I lost my trust in the Fitbit company. I want my money back!

[sfringer]

So, since this firmware update I've had two runs, and the Exercise app has crashed at the 1 mile mark both times. I can successfully restart things and record the remainder of my run.

I never has an issue with the Exercise app crashing during runs on previous firmwares.

Definitely losing confidence in the Ionic as things move forward.

[BorisGreyson]

Hello,

Does this firmware release address the Ionic not being able to Calibrate?  

In health,

Boris

[sfringer]

@BorisGreyson No. It does not, despite indication it was supposed to.

[JamesIonic]

Anyone else having GPS issues since? Mine stopped connecting during the hike I did today. Clear sky and it was no coverage on the trail. 😭

[SunsetRunner]

My device is still running Firmware version: 27.32.4.19

How do I update it? I'm running the latest app (2.71) but there is no update option? I have also tried using fitbit connect but after logging in it tells me I already have the latest firmware?

Never mind, "We've started to roll out this update to 10% of Ionic users"...